Knowledge is a basic virtue that many people around the world inspire to gain or improve. Knowledge is defined as the "facts, information, and skills acquired by a person through experience or education; the theoretical or practical understanding of a subject" ("Knowledge." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.) or as the "awareness or familiarity gained by experience of a fact or situation." ("Knowledge." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.). Through these definitions, knowledge can be obtained through passive observation and active experiment. Therefore, the knowledge question of this essay is to what extent are passive observation and active experimentation a vital factor in producing knowledge in mathematics,
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Researchers and scientists use their sense perception in order to create their theory. Researchers use inductive reasoning to "make generalizations from specific observations." (Staff, Live Science. "Deductive Reasoning vs. Inductive Reasoning." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 10 July 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.). Inductive reasoning also allows for the researcher or scientists to create hypothesis or theories based on their senses (such as sight, hearing, or touch). An example of a scientist using passive observation was Newton 's theory of gravitation. Newton first created his theory when he first caught sight of apple falling from the tree. The Apple falling from the tree made him aware that things must have of downward force which he later called gravity. Newton “created an equation to find the gravitational pull between the earth and the moon; 1/R2; where r represents the distance between two objects.” (Stern, Dr. David P. "(20) Newton 's Theory of "Universal Gravitation"" Newton 's Theory of "Universal Gravitation" Web. 4 Mar. 2015.). Newton also proposed that gravity is universal which keeps the planets in the gravitational pull of the sun. Even though many theories are used today for different …show more content…
Mathematics is used to in many ways (such as counting money, leaving a tip, or in jobs such as an engineer.). Active experimentation is not a vital factor in solving and using math theories and hypothesis. Mathematicians use “theories, computation techniques, algorithms, and computer technology to solve scientific, and engineer equations.”("Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine." Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.). An example of a mathematician using a theory or hypothesis to solve an equation may use a theory from an engineer would “start with a problem, separate the theory’s elements, and reduce the mathematical variables using computer programs in order to fix or solve the problem (such as creating a faster route of water traveling through pipes or “the aerodynamic characteristics of creating a new car.” ("Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine." Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.). Active experiment is not a vital factor in producing knowledge because the mathematician, without a theory or hypothesis to go by, would not be able to create an experiment and would not pass effective knowledge to produce that knowledge to give to another though
Researchers and scientists use their sense perception in order to create their theory. Researchers use inductive reasoning to "make generalizations from specific observations." (Staff, Live Science. "Deductive Reasoning vs. Inductive Reasoning." LiveScience. TechMedia Network, 10 July 2012. Web. 4 Mar. 2015.). Inductive reasoning also allows for the researcher or scientists to create hypothesis or theories based on their senses (such as sight, hearing, or touch). An example of a scientist using passive observation was Newton 's theory of gravitation. Newton first created his theory when he first caught sight of apple falling from the tree. The Apple falling from the tree made him aware that things must have of downward force which he later called gravity. Newton “created an equation to find the gravitational pull between the earth and the moon; 1/R2; where r represents the distance between two objects.” (Stern, Dr. David P. "(20) Newton 's Theory of "Universal Gravitation"" Newton 's Theory of "Universal Gravitation" Web. 4 Mar. 2015.). Newton also proposed that gravity is universal which keeps the planets in the gravitational pull of the sun. Even though many theories are used today for different …show more content…
Mathematics is used to in many ways (such as counting money, leaving a tip, or in jobs such as an engineer.). Active experimentation is not a vital factor in solving and using math theories and hypothesis. Mathematicians use “theories, computation techniques, algorithms, and computer technology to solve scientific, and engineer equations.”("Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine." Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.). An example of a mathematician using a theory or hypothesis to solve an equation may use a theory from an engineer would “start with a problem, separate the theory’s elements, and reduce the mathematical variables using computer programs in order to fix or solve the problem (such as creating a faster route of water traveling through pipes or “the aerodynamic characteristics of creating a new car.” ("Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine." Career Cornerstone Center: Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Math and Medicine. Web. 28 Feb. 2015.). Active experiment is not a vital factor in producing knowledge because the mathematician, without a theory or hypothesis to go by, would not be able to create an experiment and would not pass effective knowledge to produce that knowledge to give to another though